Coasting Distance Determination for Intersection Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to accurately determine the optimal coasting distance at intersections, leading to inefficient fuel use and occupant discomfort, as they either coast too long or too short, depending on the traffic signal, which affects regenerative braking and friction brake life.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a speed sensor, pedal unit, and electronic control unit (ECU) to detect vehicle speed and brake pedal position, determining whether an intersection is green or red light based on historical data, and providing a coasting assistance instruction for either green light or red light coasting distance to optimize fuel efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle coasts for a long distance at an intersection, then regenerative braking is maximized and fuel efficiency is improved, but the vehicle may stop too late at red light intersections causing safety issues and driver frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the traffic signal state (red or green light intersection) before the vehicle reaches the intersection while the brake pedal is released. Based on this preliminary determination, the ECU calculates and notifies the driver of the appropriate coasting distance in advance, allowing the vehicle to coast optimally without risking stopping too late at red light intersections.
2Reliability
If the vehicle coasts for a short distance at an intersection, then safety and stopping accuracy are maintained, but regenerative braking is reduced and fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the coasting distance parameter based on the determined traffic signal state. For green light intersections, a longer coasting distance is calculated to maximize regenerative braking. For red light intersections, a shorter coasting distance is calculated to ensure the vehicle stops before the intersection. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes both fuel efficiency and stopping accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the system provides coasting assistance notification, then driver comfort and awareness are improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU performs multiple functions: it detects brake pedal position, determines traffic signal state based on vehicle speed and brake release timing, calculates optimal coasting distance, and provides notification to the driver. By making the ECU multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware components, thus improving driver comfort while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adjusting timing of coasting assistance provided by a vehicle that is approaching an intersection where the vehicle will turn or is programmed or scheduled to turn. The system includes a speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed data. The system includes a pedal unit configured to detect brake pedal position data. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to detect when the brake pedal is engaged and released. The ECU is configured to detect a vehicle speed when the brake pedal is released. The ECU is configured to determine, at a determination time, whether the intersection is a green light intersection or a red light intersection. The ECU is configured to detect, at an application time, when the vehicle is approaching the intersection. The system also includes a display configured to display, at the application time, a coasting assistance instruction.